Status & Notices

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Capital Area Greenway Trail System

Last updated Sep. 08, 2017 - 10:23 am

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The Capital Area Greenway System is a network of public open spaces and recreational trails which provides for activities such as walking, jogging, hiking, bird watching, nature study, fishing, picnicking and outdoor fun. The trails connect many of Raleigh's parks and in many cases provide a complement to the recreational activities at the parks. Many of the city's major ecological features can be experienced in their natural state along the Greenway. A major goal of the Greenway Program is to establish a completed network of interconnected trails throughout the city.

To learn more about our current greenway projects, visit our projects page.

Maintenance & Repairs

All of the Greenways and parks are yours to use and enjoy, so please help us to keep them safe and in good condition. If you see something needing repair or correction, please contact the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department maintenance office at 919-996-4115, by email or report it on SeeClickFix.

Capital Area Greenway System Safety Public Service Announcements

In an effort to educate Capital Area Greenway System users on proper trail
etiquette and safety procedures, the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources
Department recently created a series of public service announcement videos
covering a variety of safety related topics. Topics include appropriate
greenway speeds, how to pass other users, how to walk in groups on the
greenways and more. All of the videos are accessible by using the links below.

In addition to placing
these videos on the City's Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources YouTube channel, these videos will also be
promoted through Facebook, Twitter and on the Raleigh Television
Network.

NC State Course Studies Capital Area Greenway System

The City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural
Resources Department collaborated with North Carolina State University
Professor George Hess’ Natural Resources Measurements class (NR300), during NC State's Spring 2016 semester, to quantify
human and wildlife use of the Capital Area Greenway System (CAG). This effort was accomplished by utilizing motion triggered cameras set along the greenways.
Additional data was collected through paper surveys, an online survey and a
call-out survey. In addition to user counts and wildlife inventory, the team examined correlations between human and wildlife use and a variety of
factors including vegetation, population and housing density, distance to
access points, and local connectivity of the CAG system. For more information on this project, and to see the data collected and final report, please visit the What's on Our Greenways website.

Capital Area Greenway Planning and Design Guide

The Capital Area Greenway Planning and Design Guide was adopted by City Council on January 6, 2015. The final document is available for download below.

The new guide incorporates existing City procedures with the standards and best practices of public agencies and municipalities nationwide. The document supplements the City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resource Department’s (Parks) System Plan unanimously adopted by Council on May 6, 2014. It is designed to ensure that the Capital Area Greenway System continues to be a safe and accessible multi-use trail system providing recreation and transportation opportunities, while preserving thousands of acres of natural areas.

Raleigh Parks’ staff received significant public input during the development of the plan. Staff worked in conjunction with the Parks, Recreation and Greenway Board’s Greenway and Urban Trees Committee and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission’s Joint Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee to develop and review the document.

The document will be reviewed regularly and updated to meet new needs and priorities generated by the area’s growth, changing demographics and shifts in development patterns.

Trail System Map

The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department periodically produces a map of the Capital Area Greenway System. The Capital Area Greenway System Map shows existing and planned trails, parking areas with trail access, as well as select City facilities. This map is available at no cost and is available at community centers, our Administrative office located on the 6th of the Raleigh Municipal Building, by email or by calling 919-996-3285.

Trails

The Capital Area Greenway system has over 100 miles of trails you are invited to explore. There are 28 individual trails that make up the trail system, each with its own unique features, destinations, and character. We are working to create individual pages for the trails with maps, information, parking locations and information.

Trail Name

Mileage

Distance

Abbotts Creek

2.9

Follows Abbotts Creek from the Neuse River Trail to Simms Branch Trail near the intersection of Durant Rd and Cub Trl.

Follows Honeycutt Creek from Raven Ridge Rd to Strickland Rd. The trail section from Raven Ridge Rd to Durant Rd is unpaved and limited to foot traffic only. Also, be aware that seasonal bow hunting occurs on this property. Orange vests will be provided for use during these times.

Follows Walnut Creek northwest through southeast Raleigh from the Neuse River Trail to Lake Johnson

Adopt-A-Trail

The Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Adopt-A-Trail program provides a volunteer opportunity for interested individuals, businesses and groups to participate in trail cleanup and support the Capital Area Greenway System. The citizen volunteer agrees to maintain the greenway trail quarterly for at least one year. The citizen volunteer must sign an Adopt-A-Trail Agreement and submit quarterly reports to Parks staff.

Volunteers can adopt any available trail segment by viewing our interactive map. Trail segment adoptions are limited to one per citizen volunteer or volunteer group and are on a first come, first serve basis.

RGreenway App

RGreenway, a CityCamp 2012 winner, is an interactive map of greenway trails with additional features such as weather reports, submitting issues via SeeClickFix, and the ability to track time and distance travelled.

The application is not a product of the City of Raleigh. It was created by the RGreenway team and was built using Open Raleigh GIS Data. The free application is available for mobile devices running the Android and iOS operating systems. Visit the RGreenways website for more information.

Bicyclists, skaters, and skateboarders should approach pedestrians cautiously and pass on the left

All users, including pets, should remain on the right side of the trail except when passing

Bicyclists, skaters, and skateboarders must always yield the right of way to pedestrians

Patrons should be aware of their surroundings on the trail

The use of headphones is discouraged

Patrons are encouraged to walk or jog with a companion

Hide your belongings, lock your car, and take your keys

History

The Capital Area Greenway System became a reality in March 1974 after citizens became concerned over rapid growth and urbanization. The City of Raleigh responded with the Greenway master plan which permitted urban development while preserving Raleigh's characteristic natural beauty. The idea has developed into a 114-mile, 3700-acre system and continues to grow. A major goal of the Greenway Program is to establish a closed network of interconnected trails.